Chapter 90
wZi‘I didn’t expect this at all.’3FIfTN
tVTLKWas it always supposed to be this way?h0mZUu
Rw5egfQOr perhaps, due to some butterfly effect Fernan didn’t know about, had the future changed?v6VY2T
3Xg7SThere was no mention of this in the book of prophecies, which was a bit problematic.qzQU5
JCSCarThough, in truth, for Aint and his growth, there was nothing wrong with it.huMBlAP
gec4u‘This changed because of my actions.’U92vHNN
kKNQOriginally, Aint was supposed to face the monsters and a Corruptor on the battlefield.jQ4Frl
kH0zQWBThere he would fight to the death, gain experience, and by defeating a real Corruptor, he would earn fame.QDMh
qOcmFbFrom that point on, he would begin to be recognized as a “hero” and “heir to the First Emperor.”0lOsUjf
W20ntIn that process, the desert clans had nothing to do with it.kR3CfD
0BwBut by Fernan saving the clans, the story took another path. Those who were meant to die as sacrifices lived to witness Aint’s feats.wkrhE
6C5o2‘I hope this doesn’t change the future too much…’wmon9I
OICmThe greatest value of having the book of prophecies was knowing what was coming and acting accordingly.rZkwBZ
PhhRThat’s why, except for matters related to his bond with Luina, Fernan had tried not to alter the core plot too much.9f4hPy
BOZkJHh‘I can’t undo what’s happened now. The only thing left is to be grateful that at least it turned out positively…’3SN05hH
hSWKC11“…Are you asleep?”Sj9
JwfcBHe sensed a presence beside him and opened his eyes.tDEjbbr
gpGX5D“What did you say?”DqJc
204M“I asked why you had your eyes closed.”gkP
FFZnpIt was Luina. She was offering him a piece of roasted meat. Despite the festive atmosphere, her expression hadn’t changed a bit.0LtXEC
1Hkw9Cj“Just thinking for a moment. Don’t you drink?”I22
JLFCZ1a“Alcohol makes you lower your guard.”0mmC
TEE5q0Q“It’s a party.”BsDg
poYFernan took a glass a nomad offered and brought it close to her.Y31m
uanA“…I don’t like bitterness.”k1v
Lv9a“Yes, it’s a strong liquor.”vKZ
efGnBWhat the desert warriors drank was moonshine.20eTS
RsHD5It was made by fermenting camel’s milk and then distilling that beverage.TX8fr2
TzG7Finally, they aged it in facilities dug into the sand.nmeye
BBt6XQ8‘With such dry skies, distilling here is almost like throwing money into the sand.’aXU
1gNXtqFor the clans, it wasn’t a business; they did it simply because they wanted something strong to drink.feiBR
Njt“But isn’t there also a fermented version?”Ecm
LhUYx“I can’t stand the taste…”vOePDL
4zsKdbFermented camel milk was notorious for its peculiar aroma, equally loved and hated.cSBP9
1IoqFernan took out chocolate from his subspace and squeezed it in his hand. As it melted, it released a fresh forest-like aroma. He dropped it into the glass.KMsRvy
dJN“It’ll taste better this way.”f2j
xZGu3“…”UWh
ZgHJUYmLuina glanced at him sideways.Prre
K2IqsS“I washed my hands.”yR7sPvE
8aA4Y“That’s not it, it’s just… that chocolate, is it from Fridian?”3Hb
9Ym“Chocolate from the bark of the World Tree.”x33F
KSEt42V“And why waste something so valuable on liquor?”45A
slfe“Then, are you not going to drink it?”rGHBMMT
eLeo“…I will, so the chocolate doesn’t go to waste.”QkKur
5RHNyhLShe took a sip.uln
g3SuNCqThe oak aroma of the aged moonshine blended with the forest fragrance of the chocolate.ZoKb1
QRfThe initial bitterness softened into sweetness, surprisingly pleasant.2ZPFAY
YRiq“…It’s good.”XRs
sCYe“The chocolate costs more than the drink.”pAEJ
zwub“…Then I came out ahead.”Jz9
5zlDtiH“Ahead?”Zulg
3Iqsg5B“It wasn’t mine, but in exchange for drinking something unpleasant, I tasted excellent chocolate.”xo97rsG
qmeKlW“…You’re starting to talk like a merchant.”QKdc
UOnSB“I guess after spending so much time with one, some of it rubbed off.”UAGDEd
u1QsFernan widened his eyes — he hadn’t expected to hear that from her. And, honestly, it didn’t sound bad.0uSI
WrRm7TThen—ZoW
oHqGrqWaaaah—2w7
PtVyBeri…!WSf8N96
rtd9UNQA commotion rose in the distance. He tried to see what was going on, but the crowd blocked his view.TzpDUo
PE2“What could it be?”MMKa4
jnP“A challenge, maybe?”6PUUxb
E1kloOqSuddenly, a nomad came flying out of the crowd, injured, and a familiar voice shouted from behind.eCf
5u8tBsF“Next!”Brds
JGrY“A duel.”U5Lz
2nSR“Yes, it’s a duel.”a302JyK
tvjTQ“Verian?”zqzVx
TYrn6G“It’s Verian.”N5noG
ntkFernan and Luina looked at each other.0Bcyk0v
LlApWb9A brief silence, and Luina let out her aura, dispelling any trace of intoxication.bxod4t
l49“This will be interesting. I’ve always wanted to test the strength of those who, even without mana, possess such powerful bodies.”efV3Fcn
CghWithout waiting for a reply, she headed toward the arena.EzpF0Ox
OH14T5F— Kkung? Kkhkhkh!A6RJwnj
JP5Wooden had returned to Fernan and was laughing, holding his belly.xGUK
fr2VoC“She rejected me? Don’t be ridiculous.”e86DG
xztTpQThere was never such a relationship. Fernan gave him a light tap on the head.ykb
nUAVV— Kkiiing!GgS2MS
S60MkWooden let out an exaggerated squeal.1W6EBCJ
2M0iB‘With this… the desert clans now become part of Aint’s power.’BNw7
GMGwhHow many would there be in total?GI2yR
eqsGMa***uvw7PQ
ep8KqV“How vulgar.”LF4qyj
FIpVThe desert men were all filthy. The liquor was terrible, and during their party all they did was eat meat, drink, and punch each other under the name of a “sacred duel.”6kWiKU
runq4“Is the celebration not to your liking?”BAskzx
iBc“Of course not.”4nVX
b0DXTo Ludger, it was a barbaric display. He wanted to show them the true meaning of a festival.vEo5xe
xZz‘No wonder the Empire abandoned them. They’ll never stop being savages like this.’oad
uuS211Though the real reason for his anger was something else—that despite his significant contribution in battle, the clans only hailed Aint.BHR9n9V
4rcQ‘Holy light? Nonsense.’cIH
MgAS9UKThey worshipped him, as if he had recovered the lost art of Armian’s swordsmanship. If that were true, it was extremely serious.pbjEoWu
PhcokIn a peaceful era, it wouldn’t matter, but with the Corruptors unleashed, it seemed like destiny was clearing the path for Aint Armian.g0uZff
6i9reWZ“Are you alright, Your Highness?”0pOpNc
ovwj3L9Almon’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.6Ic
CVRJ“…I’m fine.”UjeR
VDz6D“I was worried you might have been hurt fighting the Corruptor.”NW8OqbW
zSILTOa“I only used magic once, there was no reason for injuries.”Aa81KuL
4eJAThough in truth, he had suffered internal damage and exhaustion, potions had stabilized him.Ik0CaO
9OwkVo“I want to ask you something, Almon.”zU1I9
m6lv7sG“Anything, Your Highness.”bxzXI
P3Cz“What did you think of the Corruptor?”a2Na1
Wet6ru6“In what sense?”TagL
Zbd“In terms of strength.”htPE6W
Vz5VBAlmon hesitated. The Corruptor was terrifying. Each clash shook him to his core; he barely held on with his protective aura.9mg
0YDOnly thanks to Aint weakening it, Ludger slowing it down, and everyone attacking together were they able to win.p3IsI
eSDV“It was a monstrous being.”CSWfj0j
pzG“And how many more do you think there are like him?”QCu
4DeY“Many, no doubt. No one could count them.”kK7nC6p
g7c“Exactly.”9qAc8lL
tLo7“Are you worried about Aint Armian?”RoGTSK
eDUxM“Isn’t it suspicious? Just as the Corruptors awaken, Aint suddenly seems to have recovered Armian’s secret sword technique.”bn1
6FKp5qMIt was true, though it didn’t necessarily mean Aint controlled them. Probably a coincidence.an7ULvF
OIyEg“Yes, coincidence…”DRQQ
mODtikBut coincidence or not, it benefited him. And most would call that luck.1GJw
1UkhKr“I won’t let Aint or Armian enjoy that luck.”jOb
IzCBecause that didn’t suit Schwaben.okXJ4
xPT5u“We must prove it.”c3RWo
yZ7Vd9c“That others can defeat demons as well?”0zcDl
m6Q1qr“Yes. That we don’t need Armian. That we can do it without him.”2WhJr
sC9uxA thousand years had passed since the First Emperor defeated King Colomo and founded the Empire.7aMx9
TwRh0LzIn that time, humanity had grown stronger—there were now ten Royal Knights and ten Archmages.5YX
gBuThe Electors and the Empire were more powerful than ever.wcL
YOKcVThere was no longer any need to depend on Armian.biu
InjiX“But, Your Highness, you said you weren’t interested in the throne.”9v37XY
Qvak9XLudger nodded.4aj272j
jljrw“My brother is more suitable than I. He deserves to be emperor.”5Lp
xQmIt wasn’t lack of ambition—it was acceptance.6tdc
y3tiV3UPrecisely because of that, he couldn’t allow Schwaben to lose the crown.rcdND
Qes“When this mission ends, I’ll go to the capital.”1tGTcLE
CvyqHis cold gaze settled on Aint, who was mingling with the nomads.8Lp
q9T***KZ3
4mwlK“So Bairan is dead?”QjSGMJj
rvAMIn a laboratory full of instruments and testing materials.dRbV
MFgUpon the Shadow’s report, the man at the desk reviewing documents let out a disbelieving chuckle.SK7v
XpNo49“No, sir. Not dead—he was captured.”MSG
4BK“Ah… so it’s the same. Or maybe worse, for being a fool? Did they discover his objective?”AOE0E
hPNXY“No, sir.”KMjow2e
bnHk“Could you explain it in detail?”BM6Y0r
Tk4OVBs“You know that some students from the Academy went on deployment. Among them was Aint Armian.”RRXU4K
zZr“And blinded by glory, he disobeyed my order to stay put.”8DzZ
VaftToo stupid.lINXx
pbms“Did he really think that, no matter how great his achievement, I’d use someone who dares disobey me? What does he carry that thing on his shoulders for, if not to think?”tYf3o3n
dC3QHjSuch short-sightedness and pettiness.w6WO76
C2N“Tell me what happened.”oXW
hNi“He planned to gather sacrifices, summon monsters, and then kill Aint Armian.”LimgE
SMD3nw“Why did he fail?”91w
nEV“While attacking desert clans for sacrifices, he fell into a trap set by Altrierc.”02tN3V
9Mw2“A trap?”p8b8
pqKSt“Yes. They coordinated with a clan and waited for Bairan to appear.”AbeSZq6
Ykp“How did they know about Bairan’s plan?”Yk0Mhfa
iNn8Ra“That…”Acb
DtrMTnNThe Shadow shut his mouth. He didn’t know the exact background either.XDr66
jtaJ“Reporting without knowing the details is disappointing.”vyEAp
NTb5dm“F-forgive me!”oDRam7u
0mUxq“Lower your voice.”Yu4D
8Hd“Y-yes…”IEhnqU
8tVc“What level was the trap?”Qarx
8rmw“The Order of Iron Knights and the Order of Wild Blood, plus five hundred elite soldiers. And most importantly—all the deployed Academy students were there.”A6bXp
SUGxig“So Aint Armian as well.”75Q3RI
ptD4mThe man understood why Bairan couldn’t escape.ZuLV
ZryxA thousand years had passed and they still couldn’t overcome Armian’s power. Without Aint, maybe he would’ve escaped.gkfK2
mVwIzo1“Bairan was captured and taken away… and the others?”seu
TFA“They returned to Altrierc’s wall.”3R5
xcp5G“…Activate Bairan’s self-destruction. A fool like that isn’t worth rescuing.”w6yAD
zV0“Yes, I will.”YS2T
JtZ8zThough the report ended, the man stayed silent. Only the scritch-scratch of his pen sliding over paper could be heard.k8p
CGMAAfter a while, flipping pages, he asked.hrRGGY
bqy“And the Pasa Bell?”pqT
OBoJ“The plan was slightly delayed, but there were no major setbacks.”Ges
A96UKT“In fact, this is an opportunity. While their attention is on that worm, you handle the finishing blow.”Gh4iH
7fF“Th-thank you!”jrI
qObe“Don’t disappoint me like that insect.”pKJTh
B1WN2“I’ll do my best!”Up5A
wwFvJzRThe Shadow bowed his head to the floor.r2aHA8
gVHsZD“You may leave.”NxWgi8
Ru2VDJcAt his command, the Shadow vanished. His eyes remained fixed on the documents he’d been writing.MA19nJ
1GHY“Soon.”Tuknp3G
5E7gpThe end was in sight. Almost.Qf2F
Q8AUJust then, someone opened the lab door.PjMvZY
hSd4H“Aaron! Locked in here again? If Professor Rosalia isn’t around, take a break. Didn’t she say she was on vacation?”XzF
M4mLGLd“Now that I’m near the end of the research, my hands itch.”Z07nxH
jlaV0YAaron gave a faint smile.8DZinA
rJxm2N“You know other professors are keeping an eye on you because of that attitude, right?”ecN
8qp9“I prefer to stay under Professor Rosalia.”imXiH
5C7B“Of course you do…”mtR6
ywa1ll“So, why’d you come?”t0ONh9c
GFjzjHd“To drag you out to eat. You haven’t eaten yet, have you? It’s already one o’clock.”7XeITLm
eIrQOo6“Is it that late?”LSLDci
4zqazbKAaron got ready to leave.LwODk
qXAmB“Are you taking that book again? Leave it for once!”1KKw
0L6“A mage should always have their grimoire.”4uIPX4c
ALM4With a gentle smile, Aaron left the laboratory with the other assistant.p0MLG6
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